Rest in Peace Joe R. Hicks

Tuesday, August 30th, 2016 @ 3:26PM

As the chairman of the Proposition 209 campaign – the statewide ballot initiative to end race preferences in California – I experienced many high as well as low moments. Among the highest was a debate with a Los Angeles community activist whom I had not previously met. His name was Joe Hicks, and he was one of the most knowledgeable and articulate individuals that I faced during the campaign.

On the morning after the election, I received a very gracious, congratulatory call from Joe. While the call itself was a surprise, what was truly surprising was his intellectual honesty. Joe shared with me that as a life-long civil rights advocate, it troubled him that he had been in the position of opposing an initiative that would do that to which he had devoted his entire life; namely, guarantee equal treatment to all without regard to race or ethnicity.

I have had many debates and discussions with Joe since then. He was always a voice of reason and soon became a trusted ally and a dear friend.

Joe was a powerful defender of individual freedom and equal treatment of all Americans by their government. He was a brave man who always voiced his opinion with conviction and a great deal of humor.

Our world is a little darker today without Joe Hicks in it. I will miss his friendship and steadfast support of our mutually shared causes. There will be an empty chair at our next Reagan Forum in memory of Joe.